Pros and Cons about Jehovah's Witnesses

Leander

The purpose of this post is to try take a close but un-biased look at whether or not Jehovahs Witnesses are the right religion. In my few months of doing research about JW's outside of their own publications I've came across a wide variety of viewpoints. Some people are skeptical or unsure if the WTS is really the right religion, some are certain that JW's are wrong but have no ill-feelings toward them, some individuals downright hate the organization and still others are certain that the WTS is the real deal.

In an attempt to learn the truth about someone or something I truly beleive you have to look at the facts. Also when learning of those facts they should'nt come from only one source or from one view.

Anyway yo get things started I will list a few pros and cons about the WTS. Feel free to add your own or discuss whats already stated. If everyone contributes to this post in a honest and insightful matter maybe it can help those ones like me decide if the WTS is God's org or not.

Ok here it goes

PROS:

1. Extremely organized and efficient in distributing what they beleive to be bible truths

2. For the most part have been able to show consistent growth over the past 100+ years

3. Members are usually very well versed in the bible

4. Known for having one of the most intensive and far reaching preaching campaigns

CONS:

1. Have made numerous predictions that did not come true; predictions also go in contrary to bible teachings

2. Numerous contradictions in certain bible teachings

3. Recent allegations in regards to association with UN is similar to spiritual fornication according to the bible

4. Many feel the some of the practices being carried out are not a correct interpertation of the scriptures

feel free to add your comments or thoughts

pettygrudger

Pros:

Have to disagree w/the pro - they know their bible. If you honestly look at it, they only know their bible by what the Watchtower's interpretation of the bible is, in an honest one-on-one debate there are many sects that could do handstands around them all day long.

I grew up a JW, and don't believe I ever "read" the bible and discussed book for book. I remember studying the literature and using the bible for reference.

JanH

Leander,

As I see it, the items you list under "pros" are, even if true, only positive in the context of the goals the organization sets for itself and its members. I don't see any of them as particularly positive or beneficial. It's like listing "good knowledge of the Koran" as a good trait in Islamist terrorists.

- Jan
--
"Doctor how can you diagnose someone with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and then act like I had some choice about barging in here right now?" -- As Good As It Gets

Yerusalyim

Leander,

I REALLY have to challenge the statement,

4. Known for having one of the most intensive and far reaching preaching campaigns.

What is the criteria set up for that? While they do an ok job of bugging people here in the states, how about the middle and far east? What they have set up there doesn't reach nearly as many people as Catholic Missions, Baptist missions, Luthern Missions, etc. In fact, as regards EFFECTIVENESS of the preaching program, I'd say they fall pretty short. As far as using numbers as a measuring stick, World Wide Catholics have over 1 BILLION served and counting.

YERUSALYIM
"Vanity! It's my favorite sin!"
[Al Pacino as Satan, in "DEVIL'S ADVOCATE"]

pettygrudger

Yes, Yeru - to go along w/your point, if it is so effective, why is there only 1:1,300,000 in some parts of the world, and none in the majority of the muslim nations?

joelbear

Pro

They have good goals regarding how to treat other people, teaching love, honesty, justice and kindness.

Con

On the whole, they, as a group, don't practice this any more than any other organized group or even any randomly selected 6,000,000 people.

Pro

Their vision of a new system of things where everyone sublimates their agenda to that of an outside controlling entity (Jehovah) could be the basis for providing a system of lasting peace and prosperity.

Con

Their vision of how humanity will get there; through the obliteration of billions who reject or choose to remain ignorant of their teachings is illogical since even more billions who just happen not to be living at the time the change is implemented are resurrected into the already established new system where humanity has underwent the sublimation process. There is no logically judicious way to decide the fate of every human being that has ever lived other than to grant them all perfection and allow them all to make the decision Adam did which was; as a perfect human entity do I wish to sublimate my will to that of an external force.

Pro

They provide an organized support structure for people who need assistance in coping with life and its anxieties beyond that provided or possibly not provided by their families and friends.

Con

The support structure is applied with varying degrees of success depending on the knowledge and empathy of local representatives. Much of the intended good is lost in politics and bureaucracy. Psychological torture through self esteem manipulation and shunning more than negate any positivity engendered by this structure.

Satanus

Leander

Ok, let's put together some of the pros and cons.

'Extremely organized and efficient in distributing what they beleive to be bible truths'

'predictions that did not come true; predictions also go in contrary to bible teachings'

'Numerous contradictions in certain bible teachings'

So, what we get, is an organisation that is extremely efficient at spreading its false contradictory beliefs and predictions. Kind of a dangerous type of org to have on the loose, isn't it? Kind of wipes out all of the 'pros' doesn't it? Come on now leander, be objective.

bboyneko

Pro:

You get to learn how to be a public speaker, getting over stage-shyness.

Con:

heheh leander is so cute..hes trying to do an 'unbiased' review of the JW and he is still residually brainwashed :) Dont worry Leander you will shake yourself free of the brainwashing in about 1 year if you stay here.

-Dan

Leander

PG - You might have a point there. I do know some JWs who are good with the bible but there are some are not.

JH - I think 1,2 and 4 are still good pros no matter who's standard you go by. The WTS is organized very well, they have managed to show consistent growth and JW's are known in many lands for their preaching methods. Some people may not like them knocking on their doors but its something they have become known for.

Yerusalyim - To compare the Catholics to JW's in terms of members is kind of an unfair comparison. Catholics have been around far longer than JW's so its obvious that they will have more members. Although it is a good observation that many of the middle eastern countries are not as well covered as they are in America.

bboyneko

The WTS is organized very well, they have managed to show consistent growth and JW's are known in many lands for their preaching methods. Some people may not like them knocking on their doors but its something they have become known for.

The Nazi's were also organized very well, managed consistent growth (taking over all of europe) they were known in many lands for their methods. Some people did not like them invading their countries but it was still something they have become known for.

-Dan

Pros and Cons about Jehovah's Witnesses

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